The Founding Circle recognizes all supporters who make a leadership gift before Staple + Stitch receives its independent 501(c)(3) determination or before December 31, 2028.

Once this milestone is reached, the Founding Circle will be permanently closed, and these supporters will always be recognized as the organization’s founding donors.

Staple + Stitch is more than an annual art book and print fair. We are building a lasting nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating artist books, independent publishing, printmaking, and the creative communities that bring them to life.

As a member of the Founding Circle, you are investing in the future of an organization that believes books, print, and paper remain powerful tools for artistic expression, education, and community connection.

Your early support will help us:

  • Keep the fair free and open to the public

  • Keep exhibitor fees stable and sustainable

  • Provide direct stipends to artists for workshops, demonstrations, and educational programming

  • Support artists, independent presses, and book makers through scholarships that waive exhibitor fees

  • Increase accessibility for visitors and exhibitors

  • Build a sustainable nonprofit organization serving Chicago and the broader Midwest


Because our Founding Circle members are helping to establish the organization during its earliest years, they will always be recognized as the individuals who believed in Staple + Stitch from the beginning.

We are deeply grateful for all donations, regardless of size.

Please reach out to us at info@stapleandstitchfair.org with any questions!

JOIN THE
FOUNDING CIRCLE

3% Cover the Fee

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law through our fiscal sponsor, Hive Center for the Book Arts, tax ID #93-1575346.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Your donation helps create real, measurable change in the lives of artists we serve.

BUILD COMMUNITY

Join artists, makers, and patrons dedicated to building a more sustainable Chicago art community.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Your donation is tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor, Hive Center for the Book Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making the book arts accessible to everyone through papermaking, printmaking, bookmaking, writing, reading, and community-centered programming.

Hive’s Tax ID # 93-1575346

FAQS

  • You donation allows us to build operating capacity, keep exhibitor fees low, and keep the fair free and open to the public.

    Additionally, we provide direct stipends to artists for workshops, demonstrations, and educational programming, and provide scholarships that waive exhibitor fees for exhibitiors experiencing financial challenges.

  • Yes! We are proud to be supported by our fiscal sponsor, Hive Center for the Book Arts.

    Our shared commitment to supporting book and paper arts makes this an exciting partnership as we work toward becoming an independent nonprofit organization. Fiscal sponsorship provides a strong foundation to expand our programming, pursue grant opportunities, and accept tax-deductible donations that directly support our mission.

    Hive Center for the Book Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making the book arts accessible to everyone through papermaking, printmaking, bookmaking, writing, reading, and community-centered programming.

    Hive’s Tax ID # 93-1575346

  • Yes! We put out a call for volunteers to support the Fair each year. The call will be listed on our website, social media, and in our newsletter.

    Follow us on Instagram or join our mailing list to stay tuned.

  • Yes! We have many opportunities to sponsor the Fair. If you have a business that you think is well aligned with the Fair, email us at info@stapleandstitchfair.org to discuss.